AF Nikkor 70-300mm Lens

M

mike810

New member
Nikon 70-300mm f/4-5.6 G AF Zoom-Nikkor Lens. Is this a good lens to buy for my D-90? Is it good for macro shots for reef pictures and say macro shots of insects and what not? Please give me some feed back before I make my purchase or should I be looking for another Lens for macros? I don't want to spend tooooo much for a lens.

Thanks
 
Not good for macros. Look at the sticky macro thread up top. Understand you can take shots of bugs and other things with the lens, you just won't be able to get a "true" macro shot, which is a 1 to 1 magnification.

I did take this with a similar lens though.

DSC_8381.jpg
 
Watch out, This lens comes in 3 types:
-The old one I guess the G was notoriously the worst
-The G ED was a bit better
-G ED VR is the best of the trio. This one is better in sharpness and especially with VR. Still it won't serve yo ufor tank shots as minimum focus distance is very big so you'll have to be way back to be able to lock focus on things in the tank... Still a very versatile and for the price a great zoom to have for wildlife if you don't want to shell a lot of money.
 
Agree with ^^^ that. The first one that had focusing problems was a "D" lens. The "G" took away aperture control on the lens, but it's controlable on newer camera bodies anyway. Here's what you can do in macro, that you can't get in regular.

DSC_3872.jpg
 
My uncle has that exact G version of the 70-300, it was terrible. It has pronounced CA at any FL and a little bit too soft at 300mm. I would save a bit more money and get one of the older Nikon 105mm's for around $350 used or maybe a Tamron 90 for around $300.
 
I have the Sigma 70-300 with AF and the "Macro Switch" for 200-300mm for my D40. It's not a true macro, similar to the Nikkor, but it does allow for a better a minimum focusing distance. I really like it because it is a good telephoto lens and still gives you some ability for close ups too.

I love Sigma's lenses and they aren't generally as pricey as the Nikkor lenses.
 
i only asked cause i was about to get this lens as a package deal. But i have since held off on buying the package. I might just spring for the camera body and buy some lens seperately. Looking at a sigma or a tamron for macro. How much is that new 60mm macro from nikon? arm and a leg i bet
 
Macro lens' are expensive, expect to pay 300+ for a used one
Your gonna need a decent lens for your camera, so as long as that lens is the vr it will be fine for taking pictures in general but not for macro shots, you can still use that lens but your gonna have to crop it in Photoshop or I think the program that Comes with it is called nikon nx viewer or something like that
So the package deals can be nice cause you will need more than one lens for your camera, once you get it you will want to use it for more than just your fish tank :)
 
mike810 said:
How much is that new 60mm macro from nikon? arm and a leg i bet
Click to expand...

Yeah the Nikon is EXPENSIVE b/c it is a AF-S
Nikon AF-S Micro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8G ED Macro Autofocus Lens
$ 539.95

Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Lens for Nikon AF Cameras
$ 479.00

Nikon 105mm f/2.8D AF Micro-Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
$559.00

For the money I would go with the 105mm vs. the 60mm unless you go Sigma then go the 105mm. I think they make very nice lens. My brother has both, and loves his new 60mm, but if you are only doing fish or majority of fish go with the 105mm.
 
I have a Nikon D80, I'm thinking of getting this lens, specifically for taking pics of my reef tank. Is this the best bang for my $$ as far as pic quality or do you recommend something else?

NOTE: I noticed this lens is marked as "Imported" on B&H, is this something I need to worry about? I don't mind paying a few more $$ to get the USA version if this will be a major pain in the a$$.

Nikon AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8D Lens
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/66987-GREY/Nikon_1987_AF_Micro_Nikkor_60mm_f_2_8D.html#reviews
 
map95003 said:
I have a Nikon D80, I'm thinking of getting this lens, specifically for taking pics of my reef tank. Is this the best bang for my $$ as far as pic quality or do you recommend something else?

NOTE: I noticed this lens is marked as "Imported" on B&H, is this something I need to worry about? I don't mind paying a few more $$ to get the USA version if this will be a major pain in the a$$.

Nikon AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8D Lens
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/66987-GREY/Nikon_1987_AF_Micro_Nikkor_60mm_f_2_8D.html#reviews
Click to expand...



Imported = Gray Market, it use to be a great way to save money, but now it is only a few bux so I usually buy USA (no warranty with Imported) But no the quality is supposed to be the exact same and the imports I have bought in the past were great lens. If the savings is huge and you don't mind having no warranty then go Imported. In all my years of shooting I have never had to warranty a lens EVER, and this goes back 15+ yrs. My brother only buys Imported and he has some $5-$8k lens all imported.

I would go with the 60mm in a heartbeat the quality is 2nd to none, you will have some CRISP shots. I am going to go with the 60mm over the 105mm, esp for tank shots.

Hope that helps some.
 
serenity said:
Imported = Gray Market, it use to be a great way to save money, but now it is only a few bux so I usually buy USA (no warranty with Imported) But no the quality is supposed to be the exact same and the imports I have bought in the past were great lens. If the savings is huge and you don't mind having no warranty then go Imported. In all my years of shooting I have never had to warranty a lens EVER, and this goes back 15+ yrs. My brother only buys Imported and he has some $5-$8k lens all imported.

I would go with the 60mm in a heartbeat the quality is 2nd to none, you will have some CRISP shots. I am going to go with the 60mm over the 105mm, esp for tank shots.

Hope that helps some.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the info. I PM that guy selling the 60mm on here but I didn't hear back from him. I just ordered the "Import" Nikon 60mm f/2.8D macro from B&H, I have a 1yr warranty through them and they said it's the same lens as the US version.

Thanks for your help, I'll have to post some pics once I receive it.
 
xtm said:
I would've bought something longer (a 90mm or 105mm) for more working distance. The 60 is fine but you have to be around 2-3 inches from the subject to get a true 1:1. Also, since you're too close to the subject, you might have some difficulty lighting it due to your own lens creating some shadow. Something like this for $300 would have been perfect: http://www.keh.com/camera/Nikon-Aut...Focal-Length-Lenses/1/sku-NA08999036984R?r=FE
Click to expand...

Xtm, I hope you're wrong because I already ordered it. I could have gotten the Tamron 90mm f2.8 macro used from someone local for $330, but I didn't feel like dealing with possible issues with used lens. It would suck if I paid more for a lens that wouldn't do as good a job as something I could have gotten cheaper. I read a lot of good reviews on it and Serenity backed that up too, we'll find out in a few days
 
Last edited:
The Tamron 90mm is a superb performer for the price. I never would have said that before but after using one I have to say it was a much better deal than the Nikon 105mm. 90mm gives a very good amount of reach/work room versus 60mm.

As to used lenses, it all depends on the owner(s). I own several used lenses and they perform very well. If the person took good care of their gear then no worries.
 
map95003 said:
Xtm, I hope you're wrong because I already ordered it. I could have gotten the Tamron 90mm f2.8 macro used from someone local for $330, but I didn't feel like dealing with possible issues with used lens. It would suck if I paid more for a lens that wouldn't do as good a job as something I could have gotten cheaper. I read a lot of good reviews on it and Serenity backed that up too, we'll find out in a few days
Click to expand...


I sold my 105mm Macro, and I just ordered a 60mm macro. I am like you I really hate to buy used lens, unless they are a VERY close friend or family member I know takes care of their stuff I usually buy new/imported. You are going to love your 60mm macro!
 
Just received my nikon 60mm f/2.8 macro. I like it, very fast lens, sharp images (not a 'con' for me but it's kinda heavy, just thought I'd mention it for those who prefer lighter lens). I'll have to try it out this wknd on my tripod, I think I can get better pics with the tripod.
 
I was playing around with the nikon 60mm today taking pics of my tank. I definitely need to clean my tank glass, get a tripod and maybe even a remote for my D80. Most of the pics are blurred, especially on the edges. Here are a few, I had to resize them to get them to upload...

DSC_0011_1.jpg

DSC_0181_1.jpg

DSC_0341_1.jpg

DSC_0373.jpg

DSC_0388_1.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

JustSalty
Are Sabal Palm branches Safe? (Needing to lower PH) Freshwater
Replies
7
Views
1K
JustSalty
JustSalty
JVan82
Marco or micro lens?
Replies
9
Views
1K
JVan82
JVan82
JamesHolt
Need advice on Nikon upgrade
Replies
13
Views
3K
Misled
Misled
Paul B
Hello, Geezer coming back to this forum. Paul B
82 83 84
Replies
2K
Views
92K
Paul B
Paul B
Noah_Reefing
A simple 10 gallon nano reef tank
2
Replies
25
Views
3K
JohnL
JohnL
Back
Top